Page 143 - 2019 Travel Guide to California

to relaxed family strolls in flat meadows at
Camp Richardson and around the Tallac
Historic Site or along the lakeshore. Cyclists
can take advantage of a network of road
rides and mountain paths with everything
from a scenic roll in the woods to treach-
erous, teeth-rattling mountain descents.
The ambitious can even bike the entire 72-
mile circumference of Lake Tahoe, while
the cautious can pedal bike paths close to
town and teens can stunt-ride at the Bijou
Bike Park. Golfers can check out several
area courses, including the lakeside Edge-
wood Tahoe Golf Course (home of the
popular American Century celebrity golf
tournament in July) and stay in picturesque
Lodge at Edgewood.
Heavenly Mountain Resort’s on-moun-
tain Epic Discovery adventure center
features a gravity-powered Mountain
Coaster, long zip lines, an educational forest
canopy tour and a kids ropes course, as well
as a network of hiking trails leading from
their gondola (which is worth a sightseeing
ride even if you never step off it) and guided
4x4 tours to further explore the mountain.
Winter
Lake Tahoe South Shore boasts three world-
class ski resorts: Heavenly, Kirkwood and
Sierra-at-Tahoe. Heavenly is an expansive
and popular mountain spanning two
states, with contrasting views of the blue
Tahoe waters and the high-prairie Nevada
countryside. The Heavenly Gondola con-
nects visitors right into the action in the
center of the city. Heavenly’s Tamarack
Lodge features a lively après ski scene, as
does their LAT 38 rooftop bar at the Cali-
fornia Lodge. Kirkwood, about a 45-minute
drive from town, is known for its advanced
chutes, the “Expedition Kirkwood” adven-
ture ski program, deep snow and relaxed
vibe. Sierra-at-Tahoe is a medium-sized
family-oriented ski resort (located on
Highway 50 between South Lake Tahoe and
Sacramento) with specially designed
learning terrain, and new food and bev-
erage options for 2019. And with
Reno/Tahoe International Airport’s
expanded flight options and added ground
transport services with the South Tahoe
Airporter and UberSKI, getting here and
getting around in winter is easier than ever.
And to extend the winter season in 2019,
South Tahoe will be running its second
annual “Spring Loaded” series of events,
food and lodging specials and ski parties
from March 14 to April 7.
24/7/365
When the day of outdoor activity is done,
the second shift of fun is just beginning
around South Lake Tahoe. On the Nevada
side of the border, high-rise casinos rock
with the sounds and energy of non-stop
gambling, dining and entertainment.
Gamers get recharged in an array of restau-
rants and buffets, as well as at comedy
shows and live music events at Harveys
Summer Concert Series and at the Hard
Rock Hotel. Packed bars and clubs give
South Tahoe’s indoor playground a Vegas
feel, albeit at 6200 feet above sea level (don’t
forget to rehydrate in the high and dry air!).
Outside the casinos, the main strip of
town boasts shopping opportunities in the
Chateau at the Village, with name-brand
boutiques as well as quirky local ski shops
and crafts stores along the shores. Dining
can be anything from sushi to pizza and
gourmet cuisine at the Lake House Restau-
rant, and tasty morning treats for skiers and
hikers at the new Crazy Good Bakery Café
and Dragonfly Bagel Co. To quench your
thirst, try the locally-focused South Lake
Brewing Company and the 25 beers on tap at
Lake Tahoe AleWorX or the new Tahoe Social
House for evening cocktails. When you
finally decide to take a rest, South Lake
Tahoe offers a vast array of lodging options
from high-rise casino hotels to boutique
resorts and old-school motels—some like
the Basecamp Hotel and the Coachman
Hotel refurbished with an upscale retro vibe.
Regardless of your choice of food,
activity or season, Lake Tahoe South Shore
is a spot to satisfy any sort of appetite—
you’ll only be hungry for another trip.
PADDLE BOARDING on Lake Tahoe,
opposite; family skiing and snowboarding
at Heavenly above Lake Tahoe, left; it’s
cocktail time at Lodge at Edgewood, above.
2019 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA 141